r 


LIBRARY 


OF  THE 


University  of  North   earoliaa. 

Endowed  by  the  Dialectic  and  Philan- 
sthropic  Societies. 


^**»fc»fc'.        •■i^ 


V\^  '^- 


cO-o  ^.  'Z^ 


THIS  TITLE  HAS  BEEN  MICROFILMED 


This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


^orm  No.   471 


3n  up^vmntxvt 

ttmtmbvums 

at 

tl|ts  mpmortal 
ia  written 


Blacksburg-,  S.  C, 
September  21,  1909. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  J.  Armfield  and  Mrs. 
E.  M.  Armfield, 

High  Point.  N.  C. 

My  Dear  Friends : 

In  compliance  with  your  request  that  I 
prepare  a  memorial  volume  of  your  lament- 
ed son  and  husband,  I  have  sought  to  em- 
body herein  not  only  those  facts  of  his  life 
well  known  in  a  general  way  to  the  public, 
but  also  the  generally  unknown  facts  that 
betoken  the  finer  qualities  of  heart  and 
brain.  Business  activity  was  his  conspicu- 
ous characteristic  to  the  larger  world,  but 
in  this  memorial,  which  I  here  present,  I  seek 
to  emphasize  those  characteristics  known 
only  to  his  inner  circle  and  that  endeared 
him  to  them.  In  so  doing  I  am  but  paying 
just  tribute  to  the  memory  of  him  whose 
friendship  I  valued,  and  whose  name  is  held 
im  high  esteem  by  all  who  really  knew  'him. 

With  great  respect  and  personal  esteem, 
I  am, 

Very  sincerely  yours, 

G.  F.  KIRBY. 


FORE  WORD. 

We  A\'1io  know  the  "Lig-ht  of  the  World" 
have  a  better  faith  Ihan  heathen  devotee  or 
ancient  philosopher  who  die  to  live  no  more. 
Men  left  to  themselves  can  not  pierce  the 
veil  nor  solve  the  mystery  of  life  and  death. 
To  ihim  who  can  not  perceive  the  divine 
light  that  envelops  the  grave  all  is  darkness 
and  chill-dread.  For  us  the  author  of  light 
and  life  has  robbed  the  grave  of  its  victory 
and  death  of  its  sting.  The  incarnate  God 
standing-  forth  in  resurrected  power  and 
glory  proclaims  man's  immortality. 

Whether  in  potter's  field  or  rich  mauso- 
leum ;  whether  in  fathomless  ocean  or 
storied  i-im ;  whether  sheltered  by  sculptur- 
ed shaft  or  exposed  to  marauding  beast, 
the  dust  of  prince  and  peasant  is  in  the 
keeping  of  him  who  holdeth  all  in  the  hol- 
low of  his  hand.  The  dust  of  those  we 
love  is  not  all  that  is  left  to  us.  The  mem- 
ory of  their  good  deeds  and  loving  pres- 
ence remains  with  us  as  a  sweet  aroma  un- 
til our  dust  rests  in  the  keeping-  of  earth's 
bosom.  The  God  who  made  us  like  himself 
is  pleased  with  the  love  that  builds  the 
arch,  that  plants  the  flower,  that  inscribes 
the  word,  that  drops  the  tear  in  fond  mem- 
ory of  the  loved  one  gone  before. 


ABOU  BEN  ADHEM. 

Abou  Ben  Adhem  (may  his  tribe  increase!) 
Awoke  one  night  from  a  deep  dream  of  peace, 
And  saw,  within  the  moonlight  in  his  room, 
Making-  it  rich,  and  like  a  lily  in  full  bloom. 
An  angel  writing  in  a  book  of  gold : 
Exceeding  peace  had  made  Ben  Adhem  bold, 
And  to  the  presence  in  the  room  he  said, 
"What  writest  thou?" — The  vision  raised  its 

head, 
And  with  a  look  made  of  all  sweet  accord. 
Answer'd,  "The  names  of  those  w'ho  love  the 

Lord." 
"And  is  mine  one?"  said  Abou.  "Nay,  not 

so," 
Replied  the  angel.    Abou  spoke  low. 
But  cheerly  still ;  and  said,  "I  pray  thee,  then. 
Write  me  as  one  that  loves  his  fellow  men. 

The  angel  wrote,  and  vanish'd.     The  next 

night 
It  came  again  with  a  great  wakening  light. 
And  show'd  the  names  whom  love  of  <  ii'd 

had  bless'd, 
And  lo!  Ben  Adhem's  name  led  all  tlu  rest. 


Eugene  Morehead  Armfield  was  born  in 
Guilford  County,  North  Carolina,  September 
twenty-fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
nine  at  Saponaside,  a  country  estate 
belong-ing-  to  his  father.  Wyatt  Jackson  Arm- 
field,  the  same  being-  a  part  of  the  orig-inal 
grant  of  land  to  his  ancestor,  Joseph 
Armfield,  more  than  one  hundred  years 
ago.  Armfield  is  an  honorable  name 
not  in  Guilford  County  alone,  but  in 
other  sections  of  the  state  as  well.  W.  J., 
the  father  of  E.  M.  Armfield,  is  a  man  of 
most  sterling  worth.  In  a  long  and  success- 
ful business  career  he  has  always  been  noted 
as  a  man  of  transparent  honesty ;  and  while 
by  industry  and  good  business  judgment  he 
has  succeeded  in  building  up  a  large  fortune, 
he  has  also  preserved  a  character  unspotted 
in  its  integrity  to  bequeath  to  those  of  his 
heart  wlho  may  survive  him. 

Eugene  was  not  less  favored  on  his  moth- 
er's side.  His  maternal  great,  great  grand- 
father. Obed  Britt,  of  Virginia,  was  of  Eng- 
lish-Welsh origin,  but  American  in  senti- 
ment and  in  deeds.  He  threw  himself  whole- 
heartedly on  the  side  of  the  colonists  during 
the  Revolution  and  served  with  loyalty  and 
distinction  throughout  the  entire  struggle. 
During  the  earlier  days  of  the  Revolution 
he  was  with  Washington  in  the  North,  but 
later   came   South    under   the   command   of 


General  Greene,  where  he  was  engaged  in  a 
number  of  battles.  At  Waxhaw,  North  Car- 
olina, he  received  a  wound  from  a  sabre  in 
the  hands  of  a  British  soldier  of  which  he 
was  always  proud.  He  was  one  of  that  gal- 
lant army  which  so  stubbornly  opposed  the 
advance  of  the  British  at  tihe  battle  of  Guil- 
ford Court  House,  and  his  was  the  pleasure 
and  privilege  of  witnessing  the  surrender  of 
Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  Soon  after  the 
close  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution  Obed 
Britt  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Smith,  of 
Goochland  County,  Virginia,  and  to  them 
were  born  two  sons,  Anderson  and  William, 
who  were  the  great  grandfathers  of  Eugene 
Armfield,  for  his  grandfather,  William  O. 
Britt,  married  his  cousin,  Miss  Mary  Britt, 
daughter  of  William  S.  Britt. 

Obed  Britt,  with  :his  two  sons,  Anderson 
and  William,  moved  from  Virginia  to  Ten- 
nessee in  the  year  eighteen  hundred 
and  eight,  and  amid  the  stirring 
events  of  early  Tennessee  history  these  two 
boys  grew  to  manhood.  They  were  engaged 
in  the  Indian  wars  of  that  period,  and  were 
with  Jackson  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans. 

While  the  great,  great  grandfather  and  the 
great  grandfathers  were  distinguished  in  the 
art  of  warfare,  and  served  their  country  in 
two  great  wars,  fhe  grandfather,  William  O. 
Britt,  was  distinguished  in  the  more  peaceful 
pursuits  of  life,  he  being  the  leading  business 
man  in  his  section  of  the  State  of  Tennessee. 


Mrs.  Jennie  Britt  Armfield,  mother  of  Eu- 
gene Armfield,  is  a  woman  of  rare  qualities 
of  heart  and  head,  together  with  some  degree 
of  business  sagacity  inherited  from  her  fa- 
ther, which  she  in  turn  transmitted  to  (her 
son. 

In  men,  as  well  as  in  other  animals,  "blood 
will  tell,"  and  with  such  a  goodly  heritage 
in  this  respect,  the  remarkable  career  of 
Eugene  Armfield  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 

As  a  youth  he  was  by  nature  fond  of  read- 
ing and  study,  and  made  great  progress  in 
the  local  schools  and  at  Guilford  College 
before  entering  the  University  of  North  Car- 
olina. It  was  the  ambition  of  his  youth  and 
early  manhood  to  attain  unto  literary  dis- 
tinction, which  ambition  was  nurtured  in  his 
early  years  by  favorable  home  sur- 
roundings, and  strengthened  later  by 
contact  with  men  of  literary  tastes 
and  attainments  both  at  Guilford 
College  and  at  the  University.  He  pos- 
sessed discriminating  literary  taste,  and  has 
always  been,  even  when  greatly  engrossed  in 
business  affairs,  a  lover  of  good  literature ; 
but  the  ambition  of  his  youth  was  never  at- 
tained. Had  he  followed  his  early  inclina- 
tion for  a  literary  career,  there  is  no  reason 
to  doubt  tihat  he  would  have  achieved  suc- 
cess in  this  field  of  endeavor  as  he  lid  in  his 
chosen  field  of  finance.  Upon  entering  an- 
other field  of  activity  of  course  his  pursuit 
of  literature  became  a  secondary  matter,  but 


10 


he  never  lost  interest  in  intellectual  work, 
nor  in  the  cause  of  education,  and  he  contri- 
buted to  the  advancement  of  the  latter 
cause  both  in  money  and  in  influence. 

He  had  not  the  advantage  of  hig;h  class 
preparatory  schools,  yet  he  made  such  re- 
markable progress  that  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  entered  the  Junior  class  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  North  Carolina,  and  graduated 
two  years  later  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts.  After  his  graduation,  yielding  to 
the  judgment  of  'his  father,  he  forsook  his 
literary  inclination,  and  entered  upon  a  busi- 
ness career  which  in  some  respects  has  been 
quite  remarkable.  A  few  months  after  his 
graduation  from  the  University  ihe  was  elect- 
ed Cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
High  Point,  which  position  he  held  for 
twenty  years.  He  was  quite  young,  it  is 
true,  to  be  placed  in  so  responsible  a  posi- 
tion, but  time  proved  that  the  Directors 
made  no  mistake  in  their  choice.  He  was 
well  equipped  for  this  work,  both  througli 
inheritance  and  in  intellectual  training,  and 
(he  entered  upon  his  work  with  that  degree  of 
energy  and  enthusiasm  that  brought  large 
success  to  his  institution. 

His  was  an  organizing  genius  and  his  vis- 
ion of  industry  and  commerce  reached  far 
beyond  the  somewhat  narrow  confines  of 
High  Point.  First  he  desired  to  see  his  own 
town  prosper  in  material  things,  but  with  al- 
most  equal   intensity  he  desired   to  see  all 


11 


other  communities  of  his  state  prosper  too. 
His  org-anizing-  genius  took  shape  in  the  or- 
ganization, in  other  towns  surrounding  High 
Point,  of  what  is  known  as  the  Armfield 
chain  of  banks,  the  location  of  which  will 
be  noted  later  on  in  this  sketch.  Nor  did 
he  stop  at  the  establishment  of  these  finan- 
cial institutions,  for  he  was  a  prime  mover 
in  the  organization  of  many  manufacturing 
and  other  enterprises  that  have  largely 
contributed  to  the  material  making  of 
High  Point.  He  was  ever  ready  to 
bring  the  splendid  resources  of  'his  bank 
to  the  aid  of  any  institution  that  was  ''mak- 
ing good."  and  he  extended  financial  assist- 
ance to  many  corporations  and  individuals 
in  time  of  great  need. 

So  devoted  was  Mr.  Armfield  to  his  busi- 
ness and  so  absorbed  in  it  that  he  found 
almost  no  time  for  things  social,  and  remain- 
ed a  bachelor  until  he  was  thirty-seven  years 
of  age.  On  the  sixth  dav  of  December,  Nine- 
teen hundred  and  six,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Bessie  Cecil,  daug^hter  of  Rev.  C.  A, 
Cecil,  of  Hig-h  Point. 

During  his  business  career  he  was  identified 
with  the  following-  industrial  and  financial 
institutions  :  Stockholder  and  Director,  High 
Point  Broom  and  Canning  Company;  Victor 
Chair  Company;  High  Point  Metallic  Bed 
Company;  Smith  Furniture  Company;  High 
Poit  Trunk  and  Bag  Company ;  Rankin  Cof- 
fin and  Casket    Company;    Lowe    Trouser 


12 


Company;  Lindsay  Chair  Company;  High 
Point  Overall  Company.  He  was  President 
of  the  High  Point  Mantel  and  Table  Com- 
pany ;  Grand  Rapids  Furniture  Com- 
pany; and  Kearns  Furniture  Com- 
pany. He  was  President  of  the 
High  Point  Real  Estate  and  Trust 
Company ;  Secretary  and  Treasurer  South- 
ern Live  Stock  Insurance  Company;  Peoples 
Perpetual  Building  and  Loan  Association  ; 
Mechanics  Perpetual  Building  and  Loan  As- 
sociation ;  Treasurer  Carolina  Life  Insurance 
Company  and  North  Carolina  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  both  of  High  Point;  Director 
Dixie  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Greens- 
boro, North  Carolina.  He  was  Cashier  of 
First  National  Bank  of  High  Point ;  Presi- 
dent Bank  of  Alamance,  Graham,  North  Car- 
olina, and  also  President  Bank  of  Thomas- 
ville;  Vice-President  Peoples  Savings  Bank 
of  Randleman,  North  Carolina.  He  was 
stockholder  and  director  of  the  following 
banks:  Bank  of  Montgomery,  Troy, 
North  Carolina ;  Bank  of  Raeford ; 
Bank  of  Davie,  Mocksville,  North  Car- 
olina ;  Merchants  and  Farmers  Bank  of  Mar- 
ion, Marion  North  Carolina ;  Bank  of  Madi- 
son, Madison,  North  Carolina;  Bank  of 
Orange,  Hillsboro.  North  Carolina;  Com- 
mercial and  Farmers  Bank  of  Greensboro, 
North  Carolina;  American  Exchange  Bank, 
of  Greensboro;  and  Bank  of  Caswell,  Milton, 
North   Carolina.     All   of  these   institutions 


13 


profited  both  by  his  wise  counsel  and  large 
business  connections  South  and  East. 

Successful  as  he  was  in  the  varied  financial 
and  industrial  enterprises  he  yet  found  time 
to  devote  some  attention  to  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation. He  was  a  member  of  the  Phi  Gam- 
ma Delta  Fraternity  while  at  college,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  Trustee  of 
the  University  of  North  Carolina.  His  in- 
terest in  his  Alma  Mater  and  in  the  young 
manhood  of  his  state  led  him  to  endow  the 
Armfield  Scholarship  in  that  institution  with 
a  gift  of  Six  Thousand  Dollars.  He  also 
made  substantial  contributions  to  the  "Gore 
Memorial"  Fund  of  the  University  of  North 
Carolina,  to  the  State  Normal  College  at 
Greensboro,  and  to  Elon  College.  Of  all  the 
investments  made  by  him  none  are  so  endur- 
ing nor  will  ever  bring  in  such  valuable  re- 
turns as  the  gifts  to  the  cause  of  education. 
While  he  is  dead  his  money  thus  invested  is 
ever  active  in  helping  each  year  to  fields  of 
larger  usefulness  a  half  dozen  or  more 
worthy  young  men  and  young  women,  Who, 
without  this,  might  never  find  an  opportun- 
ity for  this  preparation  for  life's  work.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  School  Com- 
missioners of  High  Point  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  His  interest  in  the  child  life  of  our 
state  was  manifest  in  ihis  contributions  to, 
and  active  interest  in,  the  North  Carolina 
Children's  Home  Society,  being  Secretary  of 
the  organization.     He  was  a  member  of  the 


14 


Modern  Language  Association  of  America. 
The  Pythian  Knights  and  the  Junior  Order 
of  United  American  Mechanics  numbered 
him  among  their  worthy  members. 

So  conspicuous  a  figure  in  the  financial,  in- 
dustrial and  educational  life  of  a  state  could 
not  pass  from  this  life  without  stirring  un- 
usual interest  and  emotion  far  beyond  the 
confines  of  ihis  own  community,  and  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  death  of  Eugene  M.  Arm- 
field  brought  sadness  to  the  hearts  of  many 
who  felt  the  greatness  of  their  loss;  and 
many  distinguished  men  of  the  state,  and  a 
great  throng  of  High  Point  citizens  who 
knew  and  appreciated  him,  united  in  doing 
honor  to  his  name. 


-o- 


THE  FUNERAL. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  August 
thirteenth,  Nineteen  hundred  and  eight, 
the  remains  of  Eugene  Morehead 
Armlield  was  conveyed  from  his  home  on 
West  Broad  Street  to  the  spacious  auditor- 
ium of  the  South  Main  Street  Graded  School 
Building  with  a  seating  capacity  of  about 
one  thousand  and  which  was  filled  to  its 
capacity.  The  active  pall  bearers  were  se- 
lected from  the  ranks  of  the  Junior  Order  i>f 
United  American  Mechanics  and  were  as  fol- 
lows: J.  L.  Sechrest,  Robert  Brockett.  Dr.  H. 
C.  Pitts,  J.  E.  Kirkman,  W.  A.  Ring,  T  H. 
Spencer,  J.   L.   Parrish  and  J.   G.   Leonard. 


15 


The  honorary  pall  bearers  were :  Dr.  F.  P. 
Venable,  President  of  the  University  of 
North  Carolina;  F.  C.  Boyles,  Cashier  of  the 
Commercial  National  Bank  of  Greensboro, 
North  Carolina ;  Neil  Ellington,  Presi- 
dent   of    the    Greensboro     National    Bank 

of  Greensboro,  North  Carolina ;  Prof- 
fessor    N.    C.    English,    of    Trinity,  North 

Carolina;  W.  G.  Ragsdale,  of  James- 
town, North  Carolina;  J.  D.  Ross,  of 
Asheboro,  North  Carolina ;  Prest.  J.  I. 
Foust,  of  Greensboro  Normal  College;  Prest. 
W.  T.  Whitsett,  Whitsett  Institute,  N.  C. ; 
J.  G.  Tomlinson,  Troy,  North  Carolina; 
J.  O.  Ragsdale,  of  Madison,  North  Carolina; 
J.  W.  Lambeth  and  E.  W.  Gates,  of  Thom- 
asville.  North  Carolina;  and  Dr.  J.  A. 
Turner,  Lee  A.  Briles,  M.  J.  Wrenn,  O.  E. 
Kearns,  A.  M.  Rankin,  N.  W.  Beeson,  J.  H. 
Tate,  W.  Ray  Newby,  all  of  High  Point. 


16 


AT  THE  AUDITORIUM. 

The  beautiful  floral  offerings  were  banked 
in  front  of  the  large  platform  and  formed  a 
lovely  background  for  the  casket  in  which 
lay  all  that  was  mortal  of  Eugene  Armfield. 
According  to  the  request  of  the  deceased, 
the  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Rev- 
erend G.  F.  Kirby,  of  the  Methodist  church. 
Mr.  Kirby  read  scripture  lessons  from  the 
Ninety-first  Psalm  and  from  the  Fifteenth 
Chapter  of  First  Corinthians,  and  announced 
Reverend  O.  L.  Powers,  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  who  prayed  as  follows : 

Prayer. 

Lord,  Thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place 
through  all  generations,  before  the  moun- 
tains were  brought  forth  or  ever  Thou  hadst 
formed  the  earth  or  world,  even  from  ever- 
lasting to  everlasting  Thou  art  God.  Thou 
turnest  man  to  destruction  and  sayest,  Re- 
turn ye  children  of  men,  for  a  thousand  years 
in  Tlhy  sight  are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is 
passed  and  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 

Lord,  we  come  today  mindful  of  Thy 
goodness  and  love.  This  to  us  is  a  myster- 
ious and  hard  Providence ;  and  yet  we  come 
not  as  the  infidel  or  as  those  who  would  re- 
bel and  complain  against  Thee.  We  come 
with  bleeding-  and  broken  hearts  and  with  a 
feeling  that  Thou  doest  all  things  well. 
These  things  seem  to  be  against  us,  but  we 
know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to   them   that   love   God,   to   those   who   are 


17 


called  according  to  His  purpose.  We  are 
comforted  in  the  thought  that  Thou  art  a 
Father  who  loves  better  than  any  earthly- 
parent  and  that  these  afflictions,  which  are 
but  for  a  moment,  worketh  out  for  us  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

Our  Father,  we  remember  the  aged  father 
and  mother  in  our  prayer.  As  they  part  to- 
day at  the  grave  help  them  to  look  to  the 
resurrection.  May  they  be  able  to  say  with 
thy  servant  of  old,  The  Lord  gave  and  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  the  name 
of  the  Lord. 

Remember  the  widow  in  her  affliction  and 
loneliness,  and  be  thou  her  companion  and 
comforter.  Pour  into  her  bleeding  heart  the 
oil  of  Thy  grace,  and  may  it  be  sufficient  for 
her  every  need.  May  she  be  able  to  say,  The 
Lord  is  my  Shepherd  I  shall  not  want ;  yea, 
though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil  for  Thou 
art  with  me ;  Thy  rod  and  Thy  staiif  they 
comfort  me. 

Bless  sisters  and  brothers.  Speak  to  their 
troubled  hearts,  and,  in  the  absence  of  their 
brother,  come  Thou  great  elder  Brother  and 
fill  his  place.  Shed  the  light  of  Thy  wisdom 
and  love  over  this  Providence  that  they  may 
see  in  it,  God. 

We  pray  for  the  unsaved,  whether  among 
the  loved  ones  or  in  this  great  company  of 
friends  gathered  here  today  to  show  their 
sympathy  and  love  for  the  deceased  friend. 


18 


O,  God,  speak  Thou  today  to  the  thought- 
less and  careless,  to  the  young  and  strong 
and  may  Thy  message  be,  Prepare  to  meet 
thy  God. 

Again  we  pray  t)hat  Thy  glory  may  come 
out  of  this  mysterious  and  sore  Providence 
and  that  men  may  honor  Thee  more.  Bless 
us  and  all  the  bereaved  with  Try  presence 
and  companionship,  we  pray  in  Christ's 
name,  Amen. 

After  a  solo,  "One  Sweetly  Solemn 
Thought,"  rendered  by  Mrs.  G.  F.  Kirby, 
Mr.  Kirby  spoke  as  follows : 

Funeral  Address. 

Eugene  Morehead  Armfield  was  no  ordi- 
nary man.  He  was  built  after  a  large  pattern  ; 
these  statements  being  abundantly  attested 
by  his  achievements.  At  the  age  of  thirty- 
eight,  w^hen  most  men  are  just  beginning  to 
come  into  prominence,  if  prominent  at  all, 
he  had  already  accomplished  in  his  chosen 
field  of  activity,  more  than  the  larger  part  of 
men  accomplish  during  a  long  life  period. 
Coming  to  High  Point  a  mere  boy,  not  then 
having  reached  his  majority,  just  twenty 
years  ago,  he  has  linked  his  name  with  a 
large  number  of  successful  enterprises  that 
have  done  much  toward  making  High  Point 
a  prosperous  city.  A  long  list  of  manufac- 
turing institutions  owe  their  origin  to  him 
while  many  more  have  received  material  as- 
sistance through  him  in  time  of  need.  Be- 
sides this  he  was  financially  interested  in 
more  than  a  dozen  banks  situated  in  as  many 
towns  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  the  mov- 
ing spirit  in  the  organization  of  most  of 
them. 

In  the  early  morn  one  hears  the  shriek  of 


19 


almost  half  a  hundred  whistles  calling  thou- 
sands to  remunerative  labor,  who  after  the 
day  is  done  return  to  their  own  homes,  many 
of  which  have  been  built  through  Eugene 
Amfield's  assistance,  content  and  happy.  If 
these  whistles  could  pronounce  the  name  of 
the  man  most  responsible  for  t'heir  pres- 
ence here,  it  would  be  that  of  Eugene  M. 
Armfield. 

His  career  has  not  been  all  prosperous  ; 
nor  have  his  successes  been  scored  as  an 
easy  mark.  He  had  his  battles  to  fight,  and 
oftentimes  they  have  been  hard-fought  bat- 
tles. 

He  who  sees  only  selfish,  mercenary  mo- 
tives behind  this  remarkable  business  activ- 
ity takes  only  a  superficial  view  of  the  mat- 
ter. Eugene  Armfield's  ambition  was  not  to 
build  a  great  fortune,  but  great  fortunes  ;  not 
to  enrich  'himself,  but  to  enrich  his  home 
town  and  the  state  that  he  loved ;  and  I  feel 
safe  in  sayine  that  no  man  in  North  Carolina 
at  the  age  of  thirty-ei^ht  has  done  so  much 
in  this  direction  as  he.  There  are  men  here 
who  owe  their  start  in  life  to  him.  The  town 
and  state  are  larger  and  better  and  more 
prosperous  because  of  his  ambition,  and  his 
brain,  and  his  guiding  hand.  I  believe  he 
would  have  been  supremely  happy  could  he 
'have  been  instrumental  in  enriching  every 
friend  whom  he  loved.  If  I  be  correct  in  my 
contention  as  to  the  cause  of  his  consuming 
business  activity,  then  certainly  his  labors 


20 


were     directed     toward     worthy,  yea  noble 
ends. 

Honest !  No  man  ever  doubted  his  ihon- 
esty.  During-  the  latter  days  of  last  year  we 
had  a  long,  heart-open  conversation  to- 
gether. During  the  course  of  this  conver- 
sation I  expressed  to  him  my  sorrow  because 
of  some  recent  business  reverses  which  he 
had  suffered.  He  turned  to  me  and  said, 
"Yes,  Kirby,  it  is  hard,  but  I  can  say,  as 
one  said  many  centuries  ago,"  referring  to 
Job,  "I  have  kept  mine  integrity;"  and  I 
knew  he  had.  He  may  ihave  erred  in  judg- 
ment, but  his  hand  never  closed  upon  an- 
other man's  dollar. 

He  did  not  pursue  money  for  money's 
sake,  but  for  the  sake  of  turning  the  wheels 
of  progress.  He  was  a  philanthropist  of 
the  truest  type.  There  was  no  sounding  of 
trumpets  before  him  as  he  dispensed  his 
gifts  great  or  small.  One  who  was  much 
with  him  told  me  that  never  a  beggar  stood 
before  the  wicket  of  his  bank  and  turned 
away  empty-handed.  Nor  did  he  question 
whv  the  need,  but  rather  does  my  fellow  man 
need,  and  does  he  need  now. 

Just  outside  of  his  cashier's  wicket  was  a 
little  cradle-bank  bearing  the  picture  of  a 
little  babe  with  outstretched  hands,  the 
property  of  the  North  Carolina  Children's 
Home  Society,  of  whidh  he  was  a  member. 
There  it  sat  mutely  appealing  to  all  comers 
for  help.     For  a  long  time,  before  I  learned 


21 


to  know  him,  I  didn't  think  he  cared  about 
what  went  into  the  bank,  but  he  did.  At 
first,  I  did  not  think  he  cared  for  the  young 
men  of  North  Carolina,  but  he  did  to  the 
extent  of  six  thousand  dollar  to  establish  an 
endowment  fund  for  six  scholarsihips  at  the 
University  of  North  Carolina.  At  first,  I 
thought  that  he  cared  nothing  for  the  young 
womanhood  of  North  Carolina,  but  he  did 
to  the  extent  of  a  scholarship  mantained 
for  a  number  of  years  at  the  State  Normal 
and  Industrial  College  for  Women  at  Greens- 
boro. And  just  here,  I  wisih  to  read  some 
letters  that  have  come  into  my  possession 
since  the  death  of  my  friend: 

Chapel  Hill,  N.  C,  July  20,  1908. 
Mr.  Eugene  M.  Armfield, 
High  Point,  N.  C. 
My  dear  sir — Please  accept  the  thanks  of 
the  committee  for  your  contribution  to  the 
Gore  Memorial  and  for  the  kind  expression 
of  commendation  of  Prof.  Gore's  services. 
With  best  wishes,  I  am, 

Very  sincerely, 
(Signed)  LOUIS  R.  WILSON. 

Elon  College,  N.  C  June,  22,  1908. 
Mr.  E.  M.  Armfield, 
High  Point,  N.  C. 
My  dear  Mr.  Armfield — I  wish  to  thank 
you  for  the  two-thundred-fifty     dollar     sub- 
scription made  sometime  ago  to  Elon  Col- 
lege.    I   assure  you   that  this  kindness  on 
your  part   is   greatly   appreciated,   and   the 
"investment"    will    bring   in    good    returns, 
even  in  these  hard  times. 

Cordially  yours, 
(Signed)  E.  L.  MOFFIT, 

President. 


22 


Chapel  Hill,  N.  C,  July  24,  1908. 
Mr.  E.  M.  Armfield, 
High  Point,  N.  C. 
Dear  Mr.  Armfield — I  find  of  the  men  who 
held  your  scholarships  last  year  Mr.   B.  L. 
Banks,  Jr.,  Mr.  J.  B.  Coghill.  Mr.  S.  Single- 
tary,  Mr.  J.  B.  Davis  and  Mr.  J.  W.  Speas, 
graduated  in  June,  the  latter  at  the  head  of 
his  class.     He  holds  an  assistant's  place  in 
Latin  for  t^he  coming  year.     I  am  glad  that 
these  men  all  made  such  good  records. 

Very  truly  yours, 
(Signed)  FRANCIS  P.  VENABLE. 

Thus,  'through  his  beneficence  Eugene 
Armfield  helped  and  will  continue  to  help 
to  create  a  better  citizenship  in  North  Caro- 
lina. I  thought  he  cared  little  for  preachers, 
but  on  one  occasion  the  officers  of  a  little 
mission  church  at  the  close  of  its  fiscal 
year  lacked  twenty  dollars  of  paying  up 
their  pastor  in  full ;  one  of  these  officers 
stood  before  his  cashier's  wicket,  and  said, 
"Mr.  Armfield,  we  lack  twenty  dollars  of 
paying  up  our  preacher,  can't  you  help  us 
a  little?"  His  reply  was,  "Willie,  would 
you  feel  good  if  you  had  it  all  in  hand?"  and 
forthwith  he  handed  him  a  check  (ov  the 
twenty  dollars ;  and  I  was  the  preacher  who 
endorsed  that  check.  I  didn't  know  that  he 
cared  for  churches,  but  once  a  preacher  of  a 
mission  church  wanted  to  enlarge  his  church 
to  meet  the  growing  needs  of  his  congre- 
gation and  was  trying  to  raise  four  thou- 
sand dollars.  He  had  many  subscriptions, 
among  them  several  for  one  hundred  dollars. 


23 


He  showed  the  list  to  his  friend  Armfield 
and  acquainted  him  with  his  plans  and  pur- 
poses. Mr.  Armfield  said,  "I  would  like  to 
give  you  more  than  any  one  has  subscribed, 
but  if  you  think  it  will  make  any  one  who 
has  subscribed  less  feel  bad,  just  put  me 
down  for  one  hundred  dollars  with  the  un- 
derstanding that  when  you  call  on  me  for  it, 
it  shall  be  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars." 
He  sounded  no  trumpet  before  himself. 

Up  to  the  time  of  his  last  illness,  at  least, 
he  did  not  profess  to  be  a  Christian  of  the 
orthodox  type,  but  somehow  in  connection 
with  the  foregoing  facts,  my  mind  calls  up 
that  part  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Chapter  of 
Matthew  where  Christ  represents  himself  as 
saying  to  a  part  of  the  assembled  hosts  at 
the  final  day  of  judgment,  "Come,  ye  blessed 
of  my  Father,  inherit  the  Kingdom  prepared 
for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world ; 
for  I  was  an  hungered  and  ye  gave  me  meat. 
I  was  thirsty  and  ye  gave  me  drink ;  I  was 
a  stranger  and  ye  took  me  in,  naked  and  ye 
clothed  me;  I  was  sick  and  ye  visited  me; 
I  was  in  prison  and  ye  came  unto  me."  And 
when  the  Master  was  asked,  When  saw  we 
thee  in  such  condition  and  ministered  unto 
Thee?  He  replied,  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have 
done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my 
brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me."  At  the 
right  hand  of  the  Master  some  will  stand  to 
testify,  saying,  Eugene  Armfield  clothed  me, 


24 


fed  nie,  educated  me ;  and  I  am  not  sure 
that  the  good  God  stands  much  on  ortho- 
doxy 

What  I  have  said  about  my  friend  is  all 
good.  The  bad  we  leave  unsaid  forever.  Hig 
sins  were  as  open  as  most  men's  virtues 
are,  but  they  go  unrecorded  for  all  time. 

We  know  that  toward  the  end  he  must 
have  been  feeling  after  the  God  he  knew 
when  a  fifteen-year-old  boy.  A  few  days 
before  leaving  ihis  office  for  the  last  time  he 
asked  ihis  stenographer  to  take  these  lines ; 
whether  his  own  or  another's  I  do  not  know  ; 
if  another's  the  sentiment  had  become  his 
own: 

"When  we  drift  away  from  the  light  of  day, 

Like  drift  on  a  drifting  stream, 
Shall  we  live  again? 

What  matters  it  then  if  we  sleep  and  have 
no  dream, 
For   life   is   trouble  and   life   is   care, 

With   more  of  gloom   than   gleam. 
So  when  we  drift  away  from  fhe  light  of  day. 

Let  us  plead  and  pray  that  sleep  shall  have 
no  dream." 

And  again  just  before  leaving  his  office 
for  the  last  time,  he  said  to  his  stenographer, 
"I'll  not  get  well,  I'll  not  return  to  my  work. 
Pray  for  me,"  and  quoted  to  her  the  last 
lines  of  "The  Choir  Invisible": 

May  I  reach 
That  purest  heaven,  be  to  other  souls 
The  cup  of  strength  in  some  great  agony : 
Enkindle  generous  ardor,  feed  pure  love, 
Beget  tihe  smiles  that  have  no  cruelty; 
Be  the  sweet  presence  of  a  good  diffused, 
And  in  diffusion  ever  more  intense; 
So  shall  I  join  the  choir  invisible 
Whose  music  is  the  gladness  of  the  world."' 


25 


The  Interment. 

At  the  cemetery  The  Junior  Order  of 
United  American  Mechanics  was  master 
of  ceremonies,  and  the  body  was  laid  away 
in  the  family  mausoleum  with  their  beauti- 
ful ritual  service.  In  the  confines  of  this 
city  of  the  dead  all  is  solemn  hush  but  in 
the  near  by  city  the  shriek  of  whistle,  the 
hum  of  machinery,  the  tread  of  busy  feet, 
all  bear  witness  to  the  energy  and  power 
and  impetus  given  by  his  master  hand  and 
brain.  From  the  fret  and  worry  and  turmoil 
and  strife  of  life  thou  are  free.  Till  the 
trump  of  God  calls  thee  forth,  rest  ye. 


26 


TRIBUTES. 

The  newspapers  of  his  city  and  county 
and  state,  and  many  friends  in  private  cor- 
respondence united  in  beautiful  expressions 
of  sympathy  and  appreciation,  thus  giving 
some  degree  of  comfort  to  those  whosie 
hearts  are  sad. 

Death  of  Leading  High  Point  Citizen. 

(Special  to  Charlotte  Observer.) 
High  Point,  Aug.  12. — Mr.  Eugene  More- 
head  Armfield  died  last  night  at  his  home  on 
Broad  street  at  8.15  o'clock  after  an  illness 
of  two  weeks  from  a  serious  liver  trouble. 
Mr.  Armfield  was  in  a  critical  condition 
from  the  day  he  was  taken  to  his  bed. 

Eugene  Armfield  was  a  man  of 
many  good  qualities  and  many  acts  of  kind- 
ness, mamy  noble  deeds  of  heart  and  hand, 
of  which  the  world  knew  little,  have  been 
done  by  him.  He  was  reserved  in  his  ways 
and  did  not  attempt  at  show  and  there  are 
many  who  will  read  these  lines  who  will 
reflect  and  Jay  a  wreath  of  love  and  remem- 
brance upon  his  bier  today.  The  writer  has 
known  Mr.  Armfield  for  twenty  years  arnd 
during  that  time  recalls  several  instances 
when  he  displayed  that  inner  feeling  of 
brotherly  love  to  his  fellow  man  in  a  true 
sense.  No  trumpets  proclaimed  the  deed 
but  the  hand  and  heart  acted  in  response  to 
the  nature  within.  Mr.  Armfield  was  a 
learned  man.  a  brainy  man  in  many  respects. 
He  was  well  up  on  literature  and  the  arts 
and  was  a  iteacher  to  the  pupil  on  most  any 
question  one  may  ask  in  ancient  or  modern 
history  or  matters  of  moment. 

He  died  in  the  prime  of  his  life,  39  years 
of  age,  and  his  untimely  end  causes  the  dark 
shadows  of  sorrow  to  fall  across  the  hearth- 


27 


stone  and  reflect  their  sombre  shadows  over 
city  and  state  where  he  has  many  friends. 

(Southern  Furniture  Journal.) 

In  the  death  of  Eugene  Morehead  Arm- 
field  the  city  of  High  Point  sustained  the 
loss  of  a  citizen  who  figured  most  promin- 
ently in  its  upbuilding.  He>  more  than  any 
other  man,  assisted,  with  his  ability  and 
capital,  the  development  of  this  southern 
furniture  center.  In  his  position  as  banker 
(tie  did  everything  in  his  power  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  furniture  industry  and 
other  enterprises  that  make  this  a  com- 
manding manufacturing  center.  He  was  in- 
valuable not  alone  with  money  liberality, 
but  with  level-headed  advice  and  unfalter- 
ing encouragement.  Mr.  Armfield  was  a 
man  of  splendid  intellectual  endowment,  a 
brilliant  North  Carolina  University  graduate 
and  a  man  of  unusual  public  spirit  and  great 
capacity  as  an  organizer.  He  was  always 
a  warm  friend  of  the  Southern  Furniture 
Journal,  and  we  esteemed  him  highly,  and 
deeply  mourn  his  death. 

"Gene"  Armfield  Dead. 

(From   Fairbrother's   Everything.) 

It  was  sad  news  to  his  many  friends,  the 
announcement  that  "Gene"  Armfield  of 
High  Point  had  gone  to  the  other  side. 
For  some  time  'his  death  was  expected, 
but  when  it  came  a  few  days  ago,  many  peo- 
ple were  distressed.  E.  M.  Armfield  had  for 
twenty  years  been  a  forceful  character  in  the 
state  of  North  Carolina ;  he  was  yet  this 
side  of  forty,  but  he  had  done  many  things 
in  the  financial  world  which  excited  favor- 
able comment. 


28 


Apart  from  his  industrial  enterprises  and 
banking  institutions  he  was  a  man  who  saw 
other  things  and  had  a  'humane  side,  lie 
gave  at  one  time  $6,000  as  an  endowment 
fund  for  the  Library  of  English  Philology  of 
the  University  of  North  Carolina,  his  Alma 
Mater,  He  was  also  a  trustee  of  that  insti- 
tution of  learning  and  Secretary  of  the  North 
Carolina  Children's  Home  Society — a  most 
worthy  organization. 

"Gene"  xA.rmfield  had  his  friends — staunch 
and  true,  and  like  all  positive  characters  had 
his  enemies  who  inspired  him  to  do  greater 
things  than  he  might  otherwise  have  done. 
Being  human  he  had  his  weakness  as  other 
human  beings  have  had — but  not  all,  he  was 
a  friend  of  the  distressed ;  he  was  big-hearted 
and  charitable  even  to  tihose  not  charitable 
to  him.  The  world  is  richer,  because  he 
lived  in  it,  and  his  friends  will  long  regret 
his  departure. 

THE  STORY  OF  A  FRIENDSHIP. 

William  Thornton  Whitsett. 

Eugene  Morehead  Armfield  was  one  of  the 
most  alert  and  eager  students  who  gathered 
upon  the  classic  grounds  of  the  University 
of  North  Carolina  at  the  opening  of  the  col- 
lege year  in  1886.  He  had  been  in  a  most 
excellent  school  for  some  years  and  was 
w^ell  prepared  to  enter  the  Junior  Class  at 
the  University.  He  was  social,  kind,  and 
cordial  in  disposition.  i.nd  broad  and  demo- 
cratic in  his  ideas,  and  easily  made  friends 
among  both  teachers  and  students.  Al- 
though he  and  I  were  both  from  Guilford 
County  we  had  never  met  before,  but  within 
a  few  hours  after  our  arrival  upon  the   Hill 


29 


we  were  acquainted  and  a  friendship  began 
that  continued  without  interruption  until  his 
untimely  death.  In  many  of  the  relations  of 
college  life  we  were  thrown  together  inti- 
mately, and  he  is  connected  with  many  of 
the  scenes  and  incidents  that  go  to  make  the 
story  of  our  college  days. 

His  preparation  for  tihe  University  had 
been  well  done,  and  so  he  was  not  forced  to 
struggle  with  his  lessons  as  many  were ; 
however,  he  was  regarded  as  a  good  student 
and  was  faithful  to  his  class  duties,  seldom 
absent  from  any  recitations,  and  always 
anxious  to  take  a  good  stand  in  his  work.  He 
read  much,  and  was  fond  of  the  better  side 
of  social  life,  and  seemed  to  prefer  this  to 
taking  the  highest  rank  as  a  student,  as  he 
might  have  done,  had  he  dhosen  to  pay  the 
price  in  toil  and  effort.  His  inclinations 
seemed  to  be  along  the  line  of  literar-"  nur- 
suits,  and  most  of  his  college  friends  were 
impressed  with  his  love  for  literature,  and 
his  disposition  to  praise  the  leaders  in  the 
world  of  letters.  He  was  even  then  debat- 
ing in  his  mind  as  to  whether  he  should  join 
the  ranks  of  those  who  strive  for  gold,  or 
that  lesser  number  who  move  the  race 
through  achievements  in  fields  of  mental  en- 
deavor. This  was  a  long  battle  with  him, 
and  although  he  finally,  after  graduation,  be- 
came a  leader  in  '^is  chosen  field  of  business 
efi^ort,  still  he  never  fully  lost  this  early  in- 
clinatic  a  to  "follow  knowledg-e  like  a  sinking 
star,  beyond  the  utmost  bound  of  Ihuman 
thought."  Even  after  graduation  in  1888  he 
seriously  considered  a  trip  abroad  and  a  stav 
of  some  time  in  Athens  to  indulge  his  taste 
for  classic  art  and  Grecian  literature,  but 
finally  abandoned  this  thoup^ht  +0  turn  with 
all  his  strong,  -oung  manhood  to  the  pro- 


30 


blems  of  finance  and  of  business.  lie  often 
discussed  the  influence  of  lite/ature,  and  had 
a  keen  appreciation  of  what  was  best  in 
both  English  and  American  Hterature  ;  while 
ihis  attainments  in  the  classics  gave  him  an 
insight  into  the  treasures  of  past  times. 

We  joined  the  Dialectic  Literary  Society 
together,  and  the  noble  and  unselfish  nature 
of  Eugene  Armfield  was  .never  better  shown 
than  in  ihis  frequent  efforts  to  have  his 
friends  chosen  for  the  honors  ofifered  by  the 
society.  Many  who  were  members  in  those 
days  will  recall  some  of  the  struggles  over 
society  /honors,  and,  doubtless,  none  of  the 
boys  of  the  days  of  '88  have  yet  forgotten 
the  unusual  contest  over  the  electio^n  of  rep- 
resentatives that  year,  resulting  for  the  first 
time  in  the  history  of  the  University  in  the 
selection  of  four  instead  of  three  men,  and 
no  small  part  of  this  was  due  to  the  fact 
that  Eugene  Armfield  had  determined  to 
have  two  of  his  friends  as  speakers  that 
year.  In  "college  politics"  'he  was  a  quiet 
though  powerful  force. 

When  the  Phi  Gamma  Delta  fraternity 
was  re-established  in  the  University  young 
Armfield  was  selected  as  one  of  the  charter 
members,  and  never  did  Phi  Gamma  have  a 
more  loyal  friend  than  he.  On  every  i)roper 
occasion  he  delighted  to  uphold  her  ])anncrs, 
and  was  always  ready  witih  voice  or  purse 
to  advance  her  interests.  How  the  mind  de- 
lights to  turn  again  to  those  happy  days  of 
youthful  dreams !  The  fraternity  hall  each 
week  saw  a  happy  gathering  of  congenial 
spirits  Paul  Chatham,  Henry  D.  Ledbetter. 
Daniel  J.  Currie,  and  others  now  well  known 
in  the  life  of  the  State,  and  we  never  met 


3X 


but  that  Armfield  was  one  of  the  most  in- 
terested "frats"  of  the  entire  gathering. 

He  was  popular  with  the  faculty,  and  was 
careful  to  throw  the  weight  of  his  influence 
on  the  side  of  good  order,  and  obedience  to 
regulations ;  and  so  throughout  his  entire 
college  course  he  preserved  his  standing  as 
a  good  and  faithful  University  man. 

In  June,  1888  he  graduated  and  soon  after 
this  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  banker  to 
which  he  devoted  his  life.  He  was  success- 
ful beyond  most  men  of  his  age,  and  rapidly 
rose  in  the  confidence  of  the  business  world. 
I  met  him  from  time  to  time  each  year  after 
leaving  the  University  when  he  did,  but  was 
never  again  thrown  with  him  for  the  same 
close  personal  contact  that  prevailed  during 
our  college  days.  Serving  together  on  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  University  he  was 
always  a  helpful  member,  andihis  advice  was 
often  taken  upon  matters  that  came  before 
that  body.  I  recall  many  occasions  when  his 
ideas  as  to  fi.nancial  matters  were  finally  ac- 
cepted, and  he  was  generally  regarded  as 
safe  and  sane  upon  matters  of  policy  and  fin- 
ance that  came  before  that  body. 

He  was  one  of  the  earliest  friends  and  or- 
ganizers of  the  North  Carolina  Children's 
Home  Society  and  he  often  spoke  of  the 
field  that  this  and  other  like  organizations 
occupied,  showing  his  interest  in  the  unfor- 
tunate and  outcast. 

As  a  good  busneiss  man  he  was  prudent 
and  seemingly  careful,  but  it  was  generally 
understood  by  all  his  friends  that  no  worthy 
cause  would  be  overlooked  in  its  hour  of 
need  if  the  attention  of  Eugene  Armfield  was 
called  to  it. 


32 


He  often  felt,  like  most  men  of  capacity, 
that  he  had  failed  in  the  exercise  of  his  \a.T^- 
est  possible  capacity  for  usefulness,  and  in 
his  conversation  there  was  often  a  tinge  of 
sadness  in  that  he  had  not  done  all  he  might 
have  done  in  life.  His  davs  were  not  free 
from  mistakes  and  errors ;  but  those  who 
knew  him  best  always  felt  that  in  mental 
grasp  and  wide  sympathy  with  many  lines 
of  life  Eugene  Armfield  was  one  of  the 
strong  men  of  his  time. 

His  Alma  Mater,  the  University  of  North 
Carolina,  was  ever  dear  to  his  heart ;  and 
his  gifts  to  establislli  better  work  in  the  de- 
partment of  English  came  at  a  time  that  the 
University  was  greatly  helped.  He  would 
have  done  much  more  along  this  line  if  he 
had  lived. 

As  I  write  these  lines  in  his  memory  my 
every  thought  goes  back  to  the  days  of  boy- 
hood!   Eugene  died  long  before  his  time. 

"For  Lycidas  is  dead,  dead  ere  his  prime. 
Young  Lycidas." 

Again  I  recall  him,  as  I  often  saw  him, 
mingling  with  affectionate  consideration 
among  the  members  of  his  cultured  family.  I 
see  him  at  Saponaside,  his  father's  country 
home  upon  the  banks  of  Deep  River,  nestling 
amid  its  stately  trees  and  evergreens,  Eu- 
gene the  first  born  of  the  family,  the  pride 
of  his  parents,  one  of  'he  leaders  in  a  home 
life  that  was  all  that  wealth  and  culture 
could  make  it.  He  loved  his  dear  ones  at 
home,  and  I  have  often  heard  him  speak 
with  a  tenderness  of  his  father  and  mcUhcr 
that  could  have  come  o.nly  from  a  heart 
filled  with  affectionate  regard. 

As  I  have  said  I  did  not  keep  in  close 
touch  with  my  friend  during  the  later  years 


33 


of  his  life,  and  know  nothing  of  the  details 
that  crowded  his  days  during  the  years  im- 
mediately preceding  his  death.  But  my 
mind  loves  to  dwell  upon  the  scenes  of  his 
earlier  days.  His  graduation  ;  the  gift  from 
his  parents  of  an  elegant  watch;  his  earlier 
successes  in  business ;  the  day  when  life 
held  for  him  much  of  its  charm  and  ro- 
mance ;  when  castles  were  being  builded  be- 
yond the  hills  of  the-days-to-be ;  these,  and 
a  thousand  other  scenes  come  before  me.  If 
my  friend  ever  found  the  years  to  break 
faith  with  his  earlier  dreams,  still  I  delight 
to  think  that  he  had  these  dreams ;  bright, 
vivid,  and  amid  all  the  dross  of  days,  I 
still  believe  undying  in  brigthtness. 

"Wben  dreamy  youth  departs 

It  steals  something  from  our  hearts, 

And  it  never  comes  again." 

His  grasp  upon  his  friends  was  never  bet- 
ter shown  than  on  the  day  of  his  burial. 
The  spacious  hall  of  the  largest  auditorium 
in  his  native  city  scarce  could  hold  the 
crowd  that  came  to  pay  a  last  sad  tribute 
to  his  memory.  The  President  of  the  Uni- 
versity, the  President  of  the  State  Normal 
College,  leading  teachers,  ministers,  editors, 
and  business  men  from  various  sections,  all 
were  gathered  to  testify  that  they  in  some 
measure  had  been  influenced  or  helped  by 
Eugene  Armfield's  life,  or  because  of  some 
good  deed  of  his  had  come  to  pay  a  last 
tribute  to  his  memory. 

His  generous  heart  is  still  forever,  and 
near  the  scene  of  his  life's  activities  he  now 
rests  in  the  silence  of  the  City  of  the  Dead. 
In  the  name  of  a  friendsihip  that  was  un- 
broken for  twenty  years  I  lay  this  humble 
tribute  upon  his  tomb. 


34 


IN  MEMORIAM. 
(A.  A.  Young.) 

There  is  no  death — 'tis  but  a  long-,  last  sleep 
In   preparation   for   an    endless   life.     Why 

weep? 
Their  sorrow's  o'er,  no  more  their  burdens 

bear; 
They're    waiting   now    for   us.     They   vigil 

keep. 
There    is  ^no    death — naught    in    this   world 

e'er  dies. 
Men   live   again   in   happier   homes   beyond 

the  skies. 
Waiting  the  Judgment  Day.  When  all  shall 

know 
Their  friends  once  more  whom  they  have 

left  below, 
But   who   will   meet   them   when   the   dead 

shall  rise. 
There  is  no  death — in  Paradise  there'll  be 
Nothing   but   joy   and    peace.     Then    when 

eternity 
Shall  daw:n,  and  the  Great  Judge  shall  come 
To  call  the  ransomed  sinners  to  their  home  ; 
We'll  know  there  is  no  death — 'tis  the  soul's 

liberty. 


36 


RESOLUTIONS. 


(Kearns  Furniture  Company.) 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  by 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  Kearns  Furni- 
ture Company  at  a  meeting  held  August 
25th,  1908. 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  our  Heavenly 
Father  in  his  infinite  wisdom  to  remove 
from  our  midst  our  president,  E.  M.  Arm- 
field,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved.  First,  That  while  we  bow  in 
'humble  submissoin  to  the  wise  and  unerring 
dispensation  of  Providence,  yet  in  the  death 
of  E.  M.  Armfield,  the  directors  have  lost  a 
most  valuable  and  efficient  member  and  the 
company  a  wise  and  capable  president. 

Resolved,  Second.  That  the  company  deep- 
ly deplores  its  loss  and  extends  to  the  be- 
reaved family  and  relatives  its  deepest  sym_ 
pathy. 

Resolved,  Third,  That  these  resolutions 
be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  the  com- 
pany, a  copy  furnis'hed  the  family  of  the  de- 
ceased, and  the  High  Point  Enterprise  for 
publication. 

G.  A.  Matton, 
G.  H.  Kearns, 
W.  C.  Jones. 

(Bank  of  Randolph.) 
Asheboro,  N.  C,  Jan.  14,  1909. 
Mrs.  Bessie  Armfield, 

High  Point.  N.  C. 
Dear  Madam : 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  stockhold- 
ers of  the  Bank  of  Randolph,  the  following 


36 


resolutions  were   unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  since  our  last  annual  meeting, 
an  All-Wise  Providence  has  seen  fit  to  re- 
move from  among  us  Eugene  M.  Armfield, 
a  shareholder  and  director  in  this  bank  since 
its  organizatioin;  and,  whereas,  we  desire  to 
express  our  appreciation  of  his  efforts  in 
Ihelping  to  start  this  institution,  and  his 
continuous  interest  and  zeal  for  its  success, 
as  well  as  our  appreciation  of  him  as  a 
prominent  citizen  of  our  State. 

Resolved,  First,  Tihat  in  his  death,  in  the 
zenith  of  his  usefulness,  this  bank  has  lost 
a  valuable  member  and  director,  each  mem- 
ber a  true  and  loyal  friend,  and  the  State  a 
brig'ht  and  noble  son. 

Resolved,  Second,  That  these  resolutions 
be  spread  upon  the  minutes  and  that  copies 
be  sent  to  his  family  and  to  the  Courier  and 
Bulletin  and  Higth  Point  Enterprise  for  pub. 
lication. 

T.  H.  Redding,  Secretary. 


(Peoples  Savings  Loan  and  Trust  Co.) 

Whereas,  death  has  visited  and  removed 
president,  Eugene  M.  Armfield,  therefore 
be  it 

Resolved,  by  tlie  officers  and  board  of  di- 
rectors of  the  Peoples  Savings  Loan  and 
Trust  Co.,  of  Randleman,  N.  C,  that  as  a 
tribute  of  respect  we  close  the  bank  during 
business  hours  August  12th.  That  wc  great- 
ly deplore  'his  untimely  death,  having  recog- 
nized him  as  one  of  the  State's  leading  busi- 
ness men.  We  cherish  ihis  memory.  That 
a  copy  of  tihese  resolutions  be  sent  his  bo- 


37 


reaved  family,  High  Point  Enterprise,  and 
a  copy  be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  this 
institution. 

JOHN  J.  NEWLIN, 

Presideinit. 
Wm.  H.  PICKARD, 

Cashier. 

(North  Carolina  Savings  Bank  &  Trust  Co.) 

At  a  called  meeting-  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  the  North  Carolina  Savings  Bank 
and  Trust  Co.,  held  August  13th,  1908,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  draft  resolu- 
tions on  account  of  the  death  of  E.  M.  Arm- 
field. 

The  committee  reported  the  following, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted  by  the 
board : 

Whereas,  it  has  pleased  an  All-Wise  Pro- 
vidence to  remove  from  us  by  death  E.  M. 
Armfield,  a  member  of  this  body. 

Therefore,  be  it  resolved  that  in  his  death 
this  board  has  lost  a  faithful  co-laborer  and 
wise  counselor,  the  city  of  High  Point  a 
citizen  whose  loyalty  and  devotion  to  her 
financial  and  manufacturing  interests  has 
been  conspicuously  intense  and  unselfish, 
the  State  of  North  Carolina  one  of  her  most 
patriotic  soins,  the  cause  of  education  a 
strenuous  supporter,  and  the  unfortunate  a 
friend  of  unostentatious  and  wholehearted 
liberality. 

Resolved  further;  That  a  copy  of  these 
resolutions  be  spread  upon     our     minutes, 
published  in  our  city  paper,  and  a  copy  be 
sent  to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 
S.   L.   DAVIS, 
P.  H.  JOHNSON, 
L.  M.  H.  REYNOLDS, 
Committee. 


(Chamber  of  Commerce) 

At    a    meeting    of    the    directors    of    ithc* 
Chamber   of   Commerce.   Tuesday    evening, 
Avigiist   1 8,  the  following  resolutions  were 
presented    by    the    committee    and    unani- 
mously adopted : 

Whereas,  the  Almighty  Fatlier  in  his  in- 
finite wisdom,  has  taken  from  us  Eugene 
Morehead  Armfield,  a  loyal  and  valuable 
member  of  this  organization, 

Be  is  resolved,  That  in  'his  death  this  or- 
ganization has  lost  a  valuable  member,  its 
members  a  lovable  companion,  High  Point 
and  Guilford  County  a  public  spirited  citi- 
zen, and  North  Carolina  one  of  her  most  pa- 
triotic sons ; 

That  in  him  mankind  'had  a  friend  and 
heilper,  the  cause  of  education  a  wise  coun- 
selor and  philanthropist,  the  finances  of 
this  community  a  rock  of  safety,  and  our  in- 
dustrial and  mercantile  institutions  a  con- 
stant source  of  encouragement. 

That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  pub- 
lished in  the  High  Point  Enterprise,  and  a 
copy  be  furnished  Mrs.  E.  M.  Armfield. 

O.  E.  Kearns, 
Robt.  Brockett, 
Thos.  J.  Gold, 

Committee. 

(North  Carolina  Fire  Insurance  Company.) 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  North  Carolina  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany held  in  the  office  of  said  company  in 
High  Point,  August  i8th,  1908,  and  a  com- 
mittee being  appointed  to  draft  certain  reso- 
lutions relating  to  the  death  of  Eugene  M. 
Armfield,    secretary    and    treasurer   of   said 


3a 


company,    the    following    resolutions    were 
drafted  by  said  committee : 

Whereas,  Our  Heavenly  Father  in  His 
wisdom,  has  removed  from  our  midst  our 
very  efficient  secretary  and  treasurer,  Eu- 
gene M.  Armfield,  one  to  whom  we  could  al- 
ways look  for  counsel  in  time  of  need. 
Now  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  our  es- 
teemed brother  this  committee  has  lost  a 
valuable  counselor  and  a  lovable  companion, 
and  the  North  Carolina  Fire  Insurance 
Company  it's  originator. 

That  in  him  all  men  found  a  friend  and 
helper.  Having  a  broad  mind  he  was  in- 
terested in  many  lines  of  business,  with 
seeminglv,  but  one  object,  the  betterment  of 
mankind,  the  helping  of  others.  Though  we 
miss  him,  we  hope  our  loss  is  his  eternal 
gain. 

That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  pub- 
lished in  the  High  Point  Enterprise  and  a 
copy  furnished  the  family,  and  the  wife  of 
said  deceased  and  the  resolutions  be  spread 
upon  the  minutes  of  said   company. 

W.  N.  ELDER, 
J.  M.  MORRIS, 

Committee. 

(Guilford   Council  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics.) 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted 
by  Guilford  Council  No.  23,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M., 
August  14,  1908: 

"Whereas,  it  has  pleased  our  gracious 
Heavenly  Father  in  His  infinite  and  unerr- 
ing- wisdom,  to  remove  from  our  midst  our 


40 


brother.  E.  M.  Armfield,  member  of  Guil- 
ford Council,  No.  23,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  First,  That  while  we  bow  in 
humble  submission  to  the  wise  dispensation 
of  an  over-ruling-  Providence  in  the  death 
of  E.  M.  Armfield,  the  Council  loses  a  good 
member,  and  the  County  and  State  a  good 
and  valuable  citizen. 

Second,  That  this  Council  deeply  deplores 
its  loss  and  extends  its  deepest  sympathy 
to  the  bereaved  family  and  relatives. 

Third,  That  these  resolutions  be  spread 
upon  the  minutes  of  our  Council,  a  copy 
furnished  the  High  Point  Enterprise  and 
The  Watchman  for  publication,  and  also 
given  the  family  of  the  deceased. 

Fourth,  That  the  charter  of  our  Council 
de  draped  for  a  period  of  thirty  days. 

D.  C.  ALDRIDGE, 
T.  H.  SPENCER, 
J.  E.  KIRKMAN, 

Committee. 

(Bank  of  Thomasville.) 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  stockholders 
of  the  Bank  of  Thomasville,  the  following 
resolutions  were   unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  Almighty  God  has  seen  fit  to  re- 
move from  us,  since  our  last  annual  meet- 
ing, Eugene  Morehead  Armfield,  founder, 
president  and  director  of  this  bank  since  its 
organization,  and  whereas,  in  his  loss  we 
desire  to  express  our  great  appreciation  of 
all  the  efiforts  he  put  forth  in  helping  to 
start  this  institution  and  making  it  attain 
the  wonderful  success  it  has,  and  is  having. 
his  untiring  interest  and  zeal  for  its 
welfare,  we  desire  to  express  our  sin- 
cere appreciation  of  him     as     one     of     the 


41 


brightest,  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  cit- 
izens cur  State  has  produced.  As  a  financier 
he  had  no  superior,  and  his  judgment  could 
always  be  relied  upon.  To  enumerate  all 
that  he  did  to  advance  the  business  interests 
of  this  State  would  require  a  volume ;  it 
sufficeth  to  say  he  did  all  he  could  do  to  aid 
in  every  legitimate  way  in  the  development 
of  the  commercial  interests  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  That  this  Bank  has  lost  a  val- 
uable officer,  by  his  death,  just  in  the  prime 
of  life,  every  stockholder  in  this  bank  a 
true  and  loyal  friend,  and  the  entire  State 
one  of  its  most  intelligent,  useful  and  prom- 
ising sons. 

Resolved,  that  these  resolutions  be  placed 
oini  the  minutes  of  this  bank,  that  copies  be 
sent  to  the  bereaved  family,  and  a  copy  be 
sent  to  the  newspapers  for  publication. 
S.  H.  AVERETT, 
CHAS.  R.  THOMAS, 

Committee. 

(Bank  of  Montgomery.) 
At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  stockholders 
and  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Montgomery, 
Troy.  N.  C,  held  on  the  15th  day  of  January, 
1909,  a  committee  of  two,  to-wit :  Mr.  A.  W. 
E.  Capel  and  Chas.  A.  Armstrong,  was  ap- 
pointed to  draft  suitable  resolutions  of  re- 
spect to  the  memory  of  E.  M.  Armfield,  de- 
ceased. 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  the  Supremej 
Ruler  of  the  Universe  to  remove  from  us 
our  esteemed  and  beloved  friend,  E.  M. 
Armfield,  who  was  a  stockholder  and  direc- 
tor in  this  bank,  and  who  departed  this  life 
on  the  nth  day  of  August,  1908,  and 

Whereas,  It  is  our  desire  to  add  a  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  our  deceased 


42 


friend  and  business  associate,  therefore,  be 
it  resolved : 

First,  That  in  the  death  of  E.  M.  Armfield, 
the  State,  and  particularly  the  community 
in  which  he  lived,  lost  a  splendid,  high- 
minded,  public-spirited,  and  benevolent 
citizen ;  one  who  exemplified  in  his  daily  life 
the  principles  which  we  all  hold  so  sacred: 
friendship,  charity,  benevolence  and  busi- 
ness emterprise ;  and  while  the  untimely 
death  of  this  splendid  citizen  has  filled  our 
hearts  with  grief  and  sorrow,  we  bow  in 
humble  submissoin  to  Him,  "who  doeth  all 
things  well." 

Second,  That  we  tender  the  sorrowing 
father  and  mother,  wife,  brothers  and  sis- 
ters, and  other  relatives  our  deepest  sympa- 
thy; and  realizing  how  inadequate  words 
are  to  heal  afflictions  like  this,  we  point 
them  to  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe 
for  the  consolation  which  we  cannot  give. 

Third,  That  these  resolutions  be  spread 
on  the  minutes  of  the  Bank  of  Montgomery 
and  a  copy  of  the  same  b?  sent  to  the  father 
and  mother,  wife,  brothers  and  sisters  of  the 
deceased. 

A.  W.  E.  CAPEL, 
CHAS.  A.  ARMSTRONG. 
Committee. 

Resolutions  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
University    of    North    Carolina    on    the 
Death  of  Eugene  Morehead  Armfield. 
The  trustees  wish  to  place  om  record  their 
sense  of  loss  at  the  death  of  Eugene  More- 
head  Armfield  and  their  appreciation  of  his 
services. 

He  was  an  alumnus  of  the  Universtiy  of 
North  Carolina  of  the  class  of  1888  and  for 
seven  years  a  member  of  this  body.     Dur- 


43 


ing  this  time  he  has  been  faithful  in  attend- 
ance upon  his  duties  and  helpful  in  counsel. 
Two  years  ago  the  legislature  renewed  his 
appointment  upon  the  board. 

In  1903  he  was  appointed  by  the  Governor 
a  member  of  the  Visiting  Committee  and 
discharged  efficiently  and  well  the  duties 
connected  with  the  position. 

I  He  has  always  been  a  loyal  and  devoted 
son  of  the  Universitv,  and  the  Trustees 
would  express  again  their  appreciation  of 
his  generous  gift  to  the  library  in  endowing 
the  section  of  English  Philology. 
Therefore  be  it  resolved: 
First,  That  in  the  death  of  Eugene  M. 
Armfield  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the 
Universtiy  have  suffered  the  loss  of  a  help- 
ful counselor  and  a  faithful  friend. 

Second,  That  Ihe  Trustees  tender  to  his 
wife  and  family  their  sincere  sympathy  in 
their  bereavement. 

Third,  That  this  Memorial  be  spread  upon 
the  minutes  and  that  a  copy  be  sent  to  his 
family.  R.  T.   GRAY, 

JOSEPHUS  DANIELS. 

Resolutions  of  the  Faculty  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  North  Carolina. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Eugene  Morehead  Arm- 
field  on  August  II,  1908,  was  felt  by  the 
faculty  of  the  University  as  the  loss  not 
oinly  of  a  friend  and  co-worker  but  of  one 
whose  efficient  loyalty  has  meant  a  perma- 
nent enrichment  to  the  life  of  his  alma 
mater. 

In  his  benefactions  to  the  Universtiy  Li- 
brary Mr.  Armfield  proved  himself  an  ex- 
emplar of  that  method  of  beneficence  by 
which  an  institution  can  be  most  wisely  and 


44 


most  efficiently  served.  While  still  living 
he  gave  an  adequate  sum  for  the  endow- 
ment of  a  particular  department  of  the  Uni- 
versity and  he  lived  to  see  his  example  be- 
come the  basic  idea  for  the  increasing  en- 
dowment of  a  great  Library  Whose  widen- 
ing service  will  perpetuate  not  only  his  gift, 
but  the  generous  thought  that  prompted  it. 
The  new  Library  as  equipped  and  endowed 
for  its  larger  work  is  in  a  peculiar  sense  the 
result  of  a  movement  to  which  he  gave  both 
form  and  direction. 

Resolved,  therefore.  First ;  That  in  the 
death  of  Mr.  Armfield  the  State  has  lost  one 
of  its  ablest  industrial  captains,  one  of  its 
gentlest  and  most  lovable  men,  one  of  its 
most  philanthropic  citizens,  and  one  of  its 
most  potent  influences  for  the  upbuilding  of 
a  wisely  directed  educational  sentiment. 

Second,  That  the  University  of  North 
Carolina  will  honor  the  memroy  of  Mr. 
Armfield  as  an  alumnus  whose  enlightened 
generosity  brought  added  renown  to  his 
alma  mater,  increased  power  to  do  good, 
and  set  an  example  of  constructive  loyalty 
that  the  University  will  forever  remember 
with  gratitude  and  aflfection. 

C.  ALPHONSO  SMITH, 
LOUIS  R.  WILSON. 


45 


A  memorial  tribute  to  one  loved  and  pass- 
ed away  is  a  very  inadequate  expression 
of  the  depth  of  love  and  esteem  that 
prompts  the  writing,  but  it  is  gratifying  to 
those  whose  hearts  are  sorest.  It  is  hoped, 
however,  that  this  may  prove  of  benefit  to 
some  whose  eye  may  chance  to  fall  upon 
these  pages.  Ones  good  and  bad  is  known 
to  those  whose  lives  are  contemporary,  and 
who  are  associated  closely  in  business  and 
otherwise.  May  the  virtues  here  recorded 
excite  the  admiration  of  those  who  look  for 
examples  of  generous  kindness,  and  thus 
prove  a  lasting  blessing  to  those  who  read. 
May  the  achievements  of  one  yet  young  in 
years  be  an  incentive  to  those  who  would 
leave  the  impress  of  their  character  upon 
the  world. 


46 


i 


m 


